Pacific Northwest: AK, WA, ID, MT, OR, WY

[GolfSpy MPR]

MGS New Member Introduction: Pacific Northwest Region

Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Wyoming

Welcome to the MyGolfSpy forums! We’re always glad to have new members contributing to the best golf discussions on the internet.  If you’ve already created an introduction thread, feel free to re-introduce yourself here!

If you haven’t yet done so, take a moment to check out the Moral Codes that shape how we treat each other here.

You’ll find that this community is very welcoming to newcomers so come on in, take off your shoes, and get comfortable. Tell us all about yourself. To help us get to know you, here are some questions you might answer in your new member post. Feel free to share some fun pictures of your golfing ventures as well!

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?

2. What do you love about golf?

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?

4. Where are you from? What is your home course?

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?

6. What do you do for a living?

7. How’d you pick your user name?

[jadams505]

I've been playing golf since for about 25 years now, started on a cut down set as a kid made by my grandfather.  I'm a 13 handicap.  I love golf because I grew up playing with my dad, uncles, a few aunts and my grandfather.  I lived in New Mexico my whole life until I joined the Navy almost 6 years ago, leaving Hawai'i and off to Washington later this week.  Looking forward to see what style of golf they play in the Pacific Northwest (heard it gets wet from time to time).

[Kenny B]

3 minutes ago, jadams505 said:

I've been playing golf since for about 25 years now, started on a cut down set as a kid made by my grandfather.  I'm a 13 handicap.  I love golf because I grew up playing with my dad, uncles, a few aunts and my grandfather.  I lived in New Mexico my whole life until I joined the Navy almost 6 years ago, leaving Hawai'i and off to Washington later this week.  Looking forward to see what style of golf they play in the Pacific Northwest (heard it gets wet from time to time).

Welcome from Washington... the dry side of the state.  However, it's rather white right now; 15" of snow with 3 foot drifts.

I spent a lot of time working in New Mexico over the years, now retired.  Thank you for your service and hope you like it up here.

[No3PuttLaLa]

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?

   1. I played golf once in a blue moon as a kid with my pops. My idea was to hit a 9i as hard as humanly possibly. Shockingly, I did not like the game as I was awful and frustrated. I quit my old job and had 6 months off during my transition. I used that time to actual take up the game. In the 2 years I have been golfing I went from a 30 handicap down to a 13 handicap.

2. What do you love about golf?

   1. Bobby Jones said it best : "Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots - But you have to play the ball where it lies." Aint that the truth! It teaches you to not get frustrated on the bad shots or misses because you can still get up and down for par, or in my case bogey!

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?

   1. I love this game. I constantly think about it and am always looking to interact with other golfers. What better place than MGS?

4. Where are you from? What is your home course?

   1. Currently reside just north of Seattle in a place called Bothell. I play Echo Falls and Willows Run a lot, I would say its pretty evenly split between the two.

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?

   1. Golf year round, for the most part. Winters are just wet and clammy, but rarely snows. With exception of this Snowpocalypse we just went through. (27.5" since Super Bowl Sunday)

6. What do you do for a living?

   1. I am a National Sales Director in the Athletic and Sporting Goods Industry.

7. How’d you pick your user name?

   1. I hate 3 Putting as it is an absolute score killer, and in College none of my Teammates could pronounce my last name so they shortened it to LaLa.

[Mike McDonald]

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score? I've been playing golf for just over 2.5 years now, realised that my body was better off away from football and softball. I finally established a handicap of 14.6 this last year (2018). scores range from 85-92, depends how bad I suck that day.

2. What do you love about golf? I love the mental challenge and stimulation. I would be lying if I said it hasn't consumed my life in one way or another. When I'm not at work, or with the fam bam I'm on the course or on the range working out the kinks. I've recently became indulged with club building. 

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? I saw a lot of the testing posts and it made me think that if chosen it would be something I could do and dedicate the time to considering I would love to have a job thats golf related, sales, product testing, etc... plus I follow BST forums all over and love to barter equipment.

4. Where are you from? What is your home course? I'm from Vancouver Washington, lived here for 26 years, which is my whole life, I typically hit the range at camas meadows but would consider my home course to be Tri Mountain, as thats where I frequented the most this year (2018).

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? Best thing might be some of the hidden gems that are within driving range, lots of options to play in the Portland area. but the bad would have to be the wet and cold offseason, I'm realizing you can't judge your game on the winter results so working on chipping, putting, and ball striking is the key in the winter.

6. What do you do for a living? I work for the City of Vancouver, in the grounds maintenance department, we manage majority of the city's landscape, parks, medians, and right of ways. I'm a chemical and irrigation specialist.

7. How’d you pick your user name? an old rap song from high school had mikeyrock repeated and it stuck, 31 was my number in football for high school and college.

[Kenny B]

Welcome @Mikeyrock31 from 200 miles up the Columbia River!!  Glad you joined us.  I haven't played much in the Portland/Vancouver area; I'm always just heading through to Corvallis, OR where I grew up.  My wife and I played a couple of courses south of Portland last year.  Maybe we should hop across the river this year!!

[pulledabill]

Welcome all from Salem Or

 

Mikey...I hear Camas cam be tough. Have you tried Lewis River? Both on my list this summer. 

[No3PuttLaLa]

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score? I've been playing golf for just over 2.5 years now, realised that my body was better off away from football and softball. I finally established a handicap of 14.6 this last year (2018). scores range from 85-92, depends how bad I suck that day.

2. What do you love about golf? I love the mental challenge and stimulation. I would be lying if I said it hasn't consumed my life in one way or another. When I'm not at work, or with the fam bam I'm on the course or on the range working out the kinks. I've recently became indulged with club building. 

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? I saw a lot of the testing posts and it made me think that if chosen it would be something I could do and dedicate the time to considering I would love to have a job thats golf related, sales, product testing, etc... plus I follow BST forums all over and love to barter equipment.

4. Where are you from? What is your home course? I'm from Vancouver Washington, lived here for 26 years, which is my whole life, I typically hit the range at camas meadows but would consider my home course to be Tri Mountain, as thats where I frequented the most this year (2018).

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? Best thing might be some of the hidden gems that are within driving range, lots of options to play in the Portland area. but the bad would have to be the wet and cold offseason, I'm realizing you can't judge your game on the winter results so working on chipping, putting, and ball striking is the key in the winter.

6. What do you do for a living? I work for the City of Vancouver, in the grounds maintenance department, we manage majority of the city's landscape, parks, medians, and right of ways. I'm a chemical and irrigation specialist.

7. How’d you pick your user name? an old rap song from high school had mikeyrock repeated and it stuck, 31 was my number in football for high school and college.

Welcome Mikey! Where did you play ball? Ex FB player here as well. Played in IN and in the IFL in OKC. If you’re ever up in Seattle let me know and we’ll play a round!


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[Mike McDonald]

@pulledabill Camas can be a difficult course best I've done there was 83 from the blues. Lewis River traditionally was good I played it twice this year about a month apart from each outing, I wasn't real impressed with the course conditions for what they charge, Either they hosted to many tournaments or they ran out of greens keepers, tee boxes where un level on the majority. no one likes to repair divots or rake bunkers. Other then that its okay. The place to play especially now in the winter is three rivers in longview, its built on volcanic ash, which allows the draining, you can drive carts on it all year.

21 hours ago, pulledabill said:

Welcome all from Salem Or

 

Mikey...I hear Camas cam be tough. Have you tried Lewis River? Both on my list this summer. 

 

[Mike McDonald]

21 hours ago, No3PuttLaLa said:

 

Welcome Mikey! Where did you play ball? Ex FB player here as well. Played in IN and in the IFL in OKC. If you’re ever up in Seattle let me know and we’ll play a round!


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

 

I played at Eastern Washington, wasn't the most notable player, Cooper Kupp was in the same grad class. 

[CouveGolfer]

Happy to connect with other like minded golfers in the PNW.  Love MGS and look forward to contributing.

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score? - Handicap is currently 10.3, years ago I've been as low as a 6 and as recently as last year I was hovering around 18.  This year I'm hoping to get back down to around a 6.  I'm a happy camper anywhere in the 80's.  Broke 80 twice last summer.

2. What do you love about golf? - I love the escape, the walk, the scenery and camaraderie.  Back in the day I suppose I loved the challenge but today I'm more into the mental break. My 7 year old son is starting to get into the game.  I'm really looking forward to some quality father/son time.  I hope he sticks with it.  I'll try my best not to push him, lol.

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? - Not sure if I know any other Spies. I frequent the site for product reviews, trends, etc.  

4. Where are you from? What is your home course? - I currently live in Vancouver, WA.  Royal Oaks is my home course.  I play a lot at Camas Meadows and Heron Lakes though too.

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? - We have some great, traditional courses in the area.  Also some great "guys trip" options, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Gamble Sands, Chambers Bay all aren't too far away.  I have a love/hate relationship with the trees in the PNW.  I appreciate their beauty but sometimes despise their placement, lol.  Despite the winter rain most courses are pretty playable year round.  

6. What do you do for a living? - I own an executive recruitment firm.

7. How’d you pick your user name? - Ha, it was probably my 8th choice.  How'd I pick it?  It was available...

[Kenny B]

@CouveGolfer Welcome from 200 miles up the Columbia River.  Glad you joined us.  

[CarlH]

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?    I started playing golf late in life, when I retired from the Navy (submarine service) and have been playing for the last 30 years.  Worked my way down to a 7-9 handicap but recent surgeries and age, I'm now carrying a 9.8 index.  Working on my short game to get back to single digits!

2. What do you love about golf?  Hard to quantify or qualify this answer.  It just suits me!

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?  Reading the tests and reviews in the main site.  

4. Where are you from? What is your home course?  Last 15 years, I've lived in Medford, OR and play at the Rogue Valley Country Club.

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?  Best is that we can play all year long here, albeit some of it isn't that great.  Worst part of golf here lately has been the smoke from the regional fires, along with the wet winters.

6. What do you do for a living?  Retired

7. How’d you pick your user name?  My parents sort of gave it to me....it's my real name with initial

[pulledabill]

Welcome to MGS from Salem!

[MarkCrose]

AVID golfer (5-7 days a week, weather permitting...right now 30" of snow on the ground is frustrating that AVIDNESS).

I've played since I was about 9 years old when my family moved right across the street from Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland. We started getting golf balls in our yard so I cut a hole in the front yard and put a soup can in it and started chipping balls to it.  Then I started sneaking on the course at dusk to putt on real greens.  When my parents got me a set of clubs...it was all over.  Love at first play.  

Now I live in Redmond Oregon and play FREQUENTLY at Juniper Golf Course and about 10-12 tournaments around the state each year.  Travel to Las Vegas once a year for golf with friends who live there, and Scottsdale once a year for golf with friends down there.  A highlight was playing in the ESPN National Best Ball Tournament in Florida years ago and finishing 4th with my partner.  

I'm always interested in equipment and try many different manufacturers.  Right now I'm in TaylorMade's camp with an M5 Driver and 3-wood and their P790 irons.  Vokey Wedges and Scotty Cameron putter.  ProV1 golf balls are my usual choice.

Golf Channel is pretty much always on in my office, home and bedroom.     I know...I'm a little possessed.  I also watch a lot of Mike Malaska on YouTube.  I met him when he was out here to open the Nicklaus course at Pronghorn Resort and was immediately tuned in to everything he was teaching in his clinic.  It just worked with me. 

Grew up loving Arnie and Jack, Watson and Watkins, then Tiger and Ernie and now Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler and of course, still TIGER.   GOAT?  Tough one between Jack and Tiger but in terms of winning percentage of tournaments played...until he was injured so often...Tiger was crazy great. 

Would love to be a tester of equipment.  I'm a member at Team Titleist and get to test their newest golf balls every few years.  I'm open to all brands for testing.  

Enjoy reading this entire site and look forward to many more years of it. 

Mark

 

[drobby11]

On 2/11/2019 at 3:35 PM, GolfSpy MPR said:

• How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?

  • I have been playing for the last 5 years or so. I'm currently a 10.8 handicap and usually will shoot in the lower 80s, or like 95. Depends on the day for sure.

• What do you love about golf?

  • I appreciate the constant quest to become better. Some days I feel like I am getting better only to double my score the next day. Annoyingly fun game.

• What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?

  • I'm a scientific mind of sorts so I like seeing actual data here instead of biased product testing or marketing BS.

• Where are you from? What is your home course?

  • I live in northern Wyoming (not as bad as you may think). There are a few very pretty courses within a short drive that I frequent.

• What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?

  • Winters are too long and the springs are too unpredictable! But if you get on the course in the mornings here there is never any wind.

• What do you do for a living?

  • High school science teacher

• How’d you pick your user name?

  • Always been a nickname of mine growing up

 

[Kenny B]

Welcome all from SE Washington.  Glad you joined us.

[CarlH]

Hi Mark, I've played Juniper a few times when the wife and I stay at the Expo camp grounds.  Nice course!

[Kenny B]

1 hour ago, CarlH said:

Hi Mark, I've played Juniper a few times when the wife and I stay at the Expo camp grounds.  Nice course!

My wife and I play Juniper when we make our trips to Eagle Crest.  Love the course.

[Drumdog]

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?   5.0 GHIN

2. What do you love about golf? I love the challenge and no matter how many times you play, it's never the same.

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy?  Google search on club info.  Do you already know any other Spies? Not really.

4. Where are you from? Liberty Lake, Washington(near Spokane) What is your home course? Meadow Wood GC.

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? Best is the cost. Worst is it's getting harder to get weekend tee times.

6. What do you do for a living? I'm in the IT field as a Systems Administrator for an aerospace manufacturer. (Not Boeing)

7. How’d you pick your user name? I've been drumming in blues and rock bands for over 25 years.

[Rittern]

How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?

I have been playing golf for about 17 years. I used to only get out about 2-3 times a year. However it wasn’t until about last year I really got the “bug”, and played about 20 rounds. My handicap is 18. 

What do you love about golf?

I love the challenge of golf. There are always ways to get better, and no game is ever the same. I also like the competitiveness of it. Always fun to compete against friends, or just yourself.

What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?

I don’t know any other spies. I am always interested in what’s available out there in the golf world. 

Where are you from? What is your home course? 

I am from Spokane, Wa. Lots of courses in the area that I enjoy playing. The course I play the most is Downriver Golf Course. 

What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?

The best thing about golf in my area is the golf courses. Lots have great scenery. The  worst the about golf in my area is winter. Not much golf going on when there is snow on the ground. 

What do you do for a living?

I work for myself as a handyman. 

How’d you pick your username?

Nothing fancy... just my last name, and first initial.

 

[jadams505]

On 2/28/2019 at 7:42 PM, CarlH said:

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?    I started playing golf late in life, when I retired from the Navy (submarine service) and have been playing for the last 30 years.  Worked my way down to a 7-9 handicap but recent surgeries and age, I'm now carrying a 9.8 index.  Working on my short game to get back to single digits!

2. What do you love about golf?  Hard to quantify or qualify this answer.  It just suits me!

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?  Reading the tests and reviews in the main site.  

4. Where are you from? What is your home course?  Last 15 years, I've lived in Medford, OR and play at the Rogue Valley Country Club.

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?  Best is that we can play all year long here, albeit some of it isn't that great.  Worst part of golf here lately has been the smoke from the regional fires, along with the wet winters.

6. What do you do for a living?  Retired

7. How’d you pick your user name?  My parents sort of gave it to me....it's my real name with initial

Submarines once, submarines twice......

[JoshuaAlden]

1. I have been playing golf for 15 years, and my handicap is a 6.

2. I love golf because it the perfect combination of tranquility, stress and integrity. It’s you and the course, which are often beautiful, battling each and every stroke. 

3.  Product reviews and new and up and coming release. I am new and do not know any spies.

4. Originally Ohio, home course was Moss Creek. Currently Washington, and home course is Chambers Bay. 

5. Best, the beauty, worst the price. 

6. I am in the Army!

7. My username is a go to! 

 

Edited October 14, 2021 by JoshuaAlden

[KnockedStiffGolf]

Greetings All!

I became inspired by my new friend Dan Mann (GolfSpy MBP) to get involved in the forums. I'm located in Anchorage, AK and look forward to being a part of the community. I also run the social media account Knocked Stiff Golf (links below)

YOUTUBE

INSTAGRAM

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?

I'm 32, so it's coming up on 17 years now. I'm right at about a 5 handicap.

2. What do you love about golf?

I love the aspect of staying competitive, even as I get older, through a sport I can play the rest of my life. I also love the community that surrounds golf and the friendships that I've established through the sport.

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?

I've seen the articles and reviews and have always appreciated the blunt/honest reviews of equipment. I currently only know GolfSpy MBP, but looking forward to meeting many more. 

4. Where are you from? What is your home course?

I'm from Anchorage, Alaska - Home Course is Anchorage Golf Course - a place I have worked or helped at since I was 16. 

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?

Amazing weather in the summer with incredibly long daylight hours, wildlife, and scenery. Winters are way too long and courses don't come into full bloom until about June or July. 

6. What do you do for a living?

I work for a telecommunications company in Alaska while dipping my toes into entrepreneurial endeavors (Knocked Stiff Golf). 

7. How’d you pick your user name?

Knocked Stiff Golf is currently the brand I'm trying to build in order to make golf a bigger priority in my life over the next few years. 

 

Looking forward to chatting with a bunch of you - I make my way to the NW quite a bit, so let's get a round in together. 

 

-Kyle  

[Kenny B]

13 hours ago, JoshuaAlden said:

1. I have been playing golf for 15 years, and my handicap is a 6.

2. I love golf because it the perfect combination of tranquility, stress and integrity. It’s you and the course, which are often beautiful, battling each and every stroke. 

3.  Product reviews and new and up and coming release. I am new and do not know any spies.

4. Originally Ohio, homemcourse beaver creek. Currently Washington, and home course is Chambers Bay. 

5. Best, the beauty, worst the price. 

6. I am in the Army!

7. My username is a go to! 

 

Welcome!!  And thank you for your service.  I have got to get over to play Chambers Bay while I can still walk a course!!

[CarlH]

Welcome @JoshuaAlden and @KnockedStiffGolf

[pdrury]

63 yrs old, been playing for about 26 yrs now, almost exclusively in the southwestern part of Idaho. Got my hdcp down to an 8 back in the mid-1990s, but back injuries have slowly but steadily pushed it up to 18, more or less, over the past 10 yrs or so. But I can be a dangerous 18 if I'm feeling good that day. I love almost everything about golf, but the biggest benefit I get is the stress relief caused by having to push EVERYTHING else out of my mind in order to hit that little ball. Somedays it's a 4 hole process, other days might be as many as 14 holes. But ultimately I get there, and it's a wonderful place to be.

[Kenny B]

49 minutes ago, pdrury said:

63 yrs old, been playing for about 26 yrs now, almost exclusively in the southwestern part of Idaho. Got my hdcp down to an 8 back in the mid-1990s, but back injuries have slowly but steadily pushed it up to 18, more or less, over the past 10 yrs or so. But I can be a dangerous 18 if I'm feeling good that day. I love almost everything about golf, but the biggest benefit I get is the stress relief caused by having to push EVERYTHING else out of my mind in order to hit that little ball. Somedays it's a 4 hole process, other days might be as many as 14 holes. But ultimately I get there, and it's a wonderful place to be.

Welcome!  Depending on where you are in SW Idaho, you should hook up with @PING Apologist #9 in Boise.

I'm 71 yrs old and have been playing for 27 years.  I have to get down that way one of these days.  I have family in Nampa.

[PING Apologist #9]

55 minutes ago, pdrury said:

63 yrs old, been playing for about 26 yrs now, almost exclusively in the southwestern part of Idaho. Got my hdcp down to an 8 back in the mid-1990s, but back injuries have slowly but steadily pushed it up to 18, more or less, over the past 10 yrs or so. But I can be a dangerous 18 if I'm feeling good that day. I love almost everything about golf, but the biggest benefit I get is the stress relief caused by having to push EVERYTHING else out of my mind in order to hit that little ball. Somedays it's a 4 hole process, other days might be as many as 14 holes. But ultimately I get there, and it's a wonderful place to be.

Greetings fellow Idahoan! Welcome to the forums! Having a fellow Spy from my immediate neck-of-the-woods is rare indeed, and as @Kenny B mentioned, please do send me a Private Message (PM) and perhaps we can get out there together sometime! Cheers and I hope to hear from you soon.

[jadams505]

Anyone in the Kitsap County area of Washington? Looking to expand my game to some other courses and meet new people.